them, and invited those to remain who felt the need of an outpouring of the Spirit to convert them.  About a hundred remained; and at the conclusion of a solemn address to these anxious souls, suddenly the power of God seemed to descend, and all were bathed in tears.  At a similar meeting next evening, in the church, there was much melting of heart and intense desire after the Beloved of the Father; and on adjourning to the vestry, the arm of the Lord was revealed.  No sooner was the vestry-door opened to admit those who might feel anxious to converse, than a vast number pressed in with awful eagerness.  It was like a pent-up flood breaking forth; tears were streaming from the eyes of many, and some fell on the ground groaning, and weeping, and crying for mercy.  Onward from that evening, meetings were held every day for many weeks, and the extraordinary nature of the work justified and called for extraordinary services.  The whole town was moved.  Many believers doubted; the ungodly raged; but the word of God grew mightily and prevailed.  Instances occured where whole families were affected at once, and each could be found mourning apart, affording a specimen of the times spoken of by Zechariah (12:12).  Mr. Baxter of Hilltown, Mr. Hamilton, then assistant at Abernyte, and other men of God in the vicinity, hastened to aid in the work.  Mr. Roxburgh of St. John’s, and Mr. Lewis of St. David’s, examined the work impartially and judiciously, and testified it to be of God.  Dr. M’Donald of Ferintosh, a man of God well experienced in Revivals, came to the spot and put to his seal also, and continued in town, preaching in St. David’s Church to the anxious multitudes, during ten days.  How many of those who were thus awfully awakened were really brought to the truth, it was impossible to ascertain.  When Mr. M’Cheyne arrived, drop after drop was still failing from the clouds.

Such in substance were the accounts he heard before he reached Dundee.  They were such as made his heart rejoice.  He had no envy at another instrument having been so honored in the place where he himself had labored with many tears and temptations.  In true Christian magnanimity, he rejoiced that the work of the Lord was done, by whatever hand.  Full of praise and wonder, he set his foot once more on the shore of Dundee.

CHAPTER V.

DAYS OF REVIVAL.

   “They shall spring up as among the grass, as willows by the
   water-courses”—­Isaiah 44:4

His people, who had never ceased to pray for him, welcomed his arrival among them with the greatest joy.  He reached Dundee on a Thursday afternoon; and in the evening of the same day,—­being the usual time for prayer in St. Peter’s,—­after a short meditation, he hastened to the church, there to render thanks to the Lord, and to speak once more to his flock.  The appearance of the church that evening, and the aspect of the people, he never could